Following Saturdays defeat to Hartlepool, FC Halifax Town looked to grab a result against AFC Fylde at the MBi Shay Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Both teams had chances to opening the scoring early on in the first half. Fylde felt they should’ve grabbed the opener on 15 minutes, and perhaps could have done so if not for a decision from the officials. Jordan Tunnicliffe was the recipient of a … corner, with his header crashing against the crossbar and bouncing down over the line. Despite the claims from the Fylde bench that the ball crossed the line, Sam Johnson cleared the ball after the officials waved play on.
Jonathan Edwards was the man threating for the Shaymen in the first half but failed to capitalise on a wasted chance after thirty-six minutes. As the ball was payed over the Fylde defence, Edwards was able to strike a right-footed half volley between the legs of goalkeeper Jay Lynch, but a deflection off his calf took the ball wide of the left post.
Nathan Clarke’s three goals already this campaign could have been extended as the first half petered out. James Berrett’s corner had ‘Clarkey’ stretching, but a solid connection from the centre half left the visitors scared as it fired narrowly wide of the post.
AFC Fylde danger man Danny Rowe managed to parade past Jacob Hanson and Nathan Clarke in the penalty area with the ball seemingly glued to his feet. Rowe eventually fired through the defence on goal, with Town stopper Johnson doing well to keep the score line level.
Significant pressure from both sides persisted into the second half, as both looked to grab the goal to win the game. Sam Johnson made a string of important saves to frustrate the visitors, whilst Edwards was unlucky to miss another on the volley. Dayle Southwell’s expertly weighted ball into the area had Edwards stretching to reach it but firing over in the process.
But Déjà vu occurred in front of the south stand as Edwards’ header was deflected onto the bar and down, though not enough to give the linesman a decision to make and the score line remained goalless.
FC Halifax Town now travel down to Bromley on Saturday.
FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson, 3 Ryan Sellars, 4 Nathan Clarke (C), 9 Dayle Southwell, 10 Jonathan Edwards, 11 Sanmi Odelusi (22 Mekhi McLeod 85’), 16 Simon Lenighan, 18 James Berrett, 19 Jordan Preston, 31 Niall Maher, 40 Jacob Hanson
Subs: 21 Shaun Rowley, 2 Michael Duckworth, 6 Josh Staunton, 8 Cameron King,
AFC Fylde: 1 Jay Lynch, 3 Zaine Francis-Angol, 4 Neill Byrne (C), 5 Jordan Tunnicliffe, 8 Ryan Croasdale, 9 Danny Rowe, 10 Daniel Philliskirk, 11 Joe Cardle, 16 Arlen Birch, 18 Jim Kellermenn, 20 Serhat Tasdemir
Subs: 6 Andy Bond, 14 Ashley Hemmings, 15 Danny Kane, 21 Tom Brewitt, 22 Sheldon Green
Yellow Cards: Daniel Philliskirk (80’), Mekhi McLeod (91’)
Red Cards: None
Attendance: 1197 (72 Away)
FC Halifax Town 0 Gateshead 0
Man of the Match: Sam Johnson
Match Stats
FC Halifax Town:
Goals – 0
Shots – 12
Shots on Target – 2
Fouls – 5
Yellow – 1 (McLeod)
Red – 0
Offside – 3
Corners -4
AFC Fylde:
Goals – 0
Shots -16
Shots on Target -4
Fouls – 7
Yellow – 1 (Philliskirk)
Red – 0
Offside – 5
Corners – 6
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